Wyoming Ranch Camp
Extension Education
Chance Marshall
Extension Educator
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Lander
Abstract
Wyoming ranchers face many challenges to operating a sustainable ranch. Wyoming’s climate creates unique challenges and necessitates that a ranch manager be extremely competent in managing range and pasture resources. It is imperative that young and beginning producers be given opportunities to hone and practice their skills to better prepare them for these challenges. Helping ranchers meet these challenges is not only important for the individual ranchers but is also critical to the sustainability of Wyoming communities. To meet this need, University of Wyoming Extension educators collaborated to create the Wyoming Ranch Camp program in 2021. The Wyoming Ranch Camp provides an experiential, in depth learning experience targeted towards recent high school graduates, college-age young adults, and early ag-professionals. During the five-day program, participants tour the host operation and learn about the many aspects of working on and managing a Wyoming ranch. Participants are exposed to realities on the ranch and gain firsthand education from UW educators and specialists, host-ranch personnel, and other industry professionals. Topics such as ranch economics, meat science, animal science, ranch recreation, and rangeland management are covered each day in addition to participating in hands-on learning opportunities provided by the host ranch (i.e., processing/handling cattle, docking lambs, artificial insemination, etc.). Participants are grouped in teams to develop a complete “ranch plan” for the host ranch. Ranch plans are evaluated by principal educators and ranch managers. Members of the winning team each receive monetary scholarships and awards. From 2021-2023, 32 participants ranging in experience and age (17-36 years old) have participated. Many participants reported that skills learned at Ranch Camp helped them obtain jobs and present ideas in professional settings. A 2022 participant student, who had indicated that she had little ranching background, had the winning ranch plan presentation. She has now completed a master’s degree in agriculture and has recently accepted a position with UW Extension as an Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Educator. Another participant utilized the skills learned in the class to purchase property and create an operational plan to start her own cattle operation.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Chance Marshall
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Marshall, C. Sr. Extension Educator - Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming Extension, Wyoming, 82520